Tamper-evident packaging has a lot of benefits to businesses and brands in various industries. The most obvious one is security. In pharmaceutical industries, having tamper-evident products is a necessity. This is because tamper-evident packaging guarantees the security of the products from the chain of supply to customer purchases.
It is important that every packager understands what tamper-evident packaging is, why is it important to a business, and its difference from tamper-resistant packaging or TRP. And when implementing tamper-evident packaging and choosing packaging materials, you should also think of your customers for the security of your products.
Without any further ado, let us now start with our topic for today.
What Is Tamper-Evident Packaging?
Many people often confuse tamper-evidence with tamper-resistance because they look quite similar. A tamper-evident package can have more than one barrier hindering the product to be directly opened. It provides the consumer visible evidence that a product has not been tampered with.
Moreover, tamper-evident and resistant packaging materials should not be easily acquired by the public. Otherwise, they can be duplicated making it hard to determine if the product is still free from any tampering or not. The packaging must also include a safety feature description to warn the consumer in case the product has been tampered with.
A good example of tamper-evident packages are pills contained in clear blister packages sealed using a foil. Once the foil is damaged, the product inside has already been tampered with. In most cases, the foil will include a warning which notifies the consumer on looking out for broken seals and not using the product once tampered with.
Common Materials For Tamper-Evident Packaging
You will find a lot of TEP material options. Choosing the one that is ideal for your product depends on:
- The type of product you intend to package
- Your industry’s regulations regarding product packaging
As mentioned before, always keep your customers in mind when choosing a TEP. You want to protect your product but not inaccessible. One of the drivers of consumer purchases is easy-open packaging. So you better find suppliers who can also assist you in the design of your product packaging to ensure that they are consumer-friendly.
Now, onto the common types of TEP materials.
#1 Shrink Bands
These are plastic casings that are wrapped around the caps or lids of jars and bottles preventing the package from any tampering.
#2 Heat Induction Aluminum Seals
These create airtight seals on glass or plastic containers and are installed under the lids to prevent product contamination. They are attached to the mouth of the containers using induction can sealing machines.
#3 Button-Top Security Lids
These lids are commonly used in jarred foods and make a popping sound when opened which activates the product’s security feature. So when you don’t hear a pop when it is the first time you open the product, you should not use it anymore.
#4 Tamper-Evident Security Tapes
These are ideal for adding security to bags, crates, pallets, envelopes, and boxes. The tapes include wording which offers clear evidence of any tampering. There are tapes that also leave wordmarks on the product package when they are removed.
Difference Between Tamper-Evident Packaging and Tamper Resistant Packaging
Tamper-resistant packaging resists product access in the package. The best example of tamper-resistant packaging are shrink films. These films provide a good tamper-resistant layer to any product from toys to software to goods.
On the other hand, tamper-evident packaging has the following:
- Visible seals
- Description of how the seal works
- Description of what the consumer should look for to determine if the product has been tampered with or not
Why Should You Use Tamper Evident Packaging?
Your business’ income comes from your products and your consumers generate your revenue. So ensuring the safety of your products should be your priority to increase the longevity of your brand.
For sure you are aware that your products are being handled a lot of times after packaging starting from the delivery process. TEP helps in protecting your products from opening while being shipped and prevents any damage. They also show concern for your buyers’ well-being which can build a strong consumer-brand relationship.
Moreover, tamper-evidence ensures the safety of your consumers especially when someone who is planning to harm other people use your product to do so. TEP prevents these kinds of events from happening aside from preventing revenue loss once your products are already on the shelves.
Some consumers are also used to trying the products first so they will most probably open the products before purchasing. TEP prevents the item inside from being accessed in these kinds of situations.
Conclusion
Tamper-evident packaging is a requirement for every packager to help maintain the image of their brand and attract more sales. However, you need to make sure that you choose the most appropriate TEP material for your product and application. That is why it is important that you discuss your possible options with your chosen supplier to fully understand the best one for you.
